New Royal Navy Carriers Delayed.

[mr chris]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7777723.stm

I wonder how many more delays this project will have?
I still think the MOD where being very optimistic with there original target of 2014 ,2016.

[XabbaRus]

Better to be delayed than cancelled. They are still working on them. Steel has been cut just fit out will be extended. In some ways since the JSF is late there would be nothing to fly from them as the RAF is trying to can the joint harrier force.

[mr chris]

Very true would be pointless having two massive carriers with nothing to fly off them.

[bookworm_020]

Originally Posted by mr chris

Very true would be pointless having two massive carriers with nothing to fly off them.

Maybe they could fly a kite???:hmm:

At least they will be built, and they will give the RN alot more flexability when they deploy them.

[mr chris]

Originally Posted by bookworm_020

At least they will be built, and they will give the RN alot more flexability when they deploy them.

It will give us a better strike ability and more maneuverability.

That is two of the reasons the US government is so eager for us to have them.

[AntEater]

[JALU3]

Poor RN, a shadow of its former self. I guess when you don't have far flung colonies to patrol around one doesn't need the size, but still ... they're already paying off the Type 23s!

[XabbaRus]

Actually I was looking at the current numbers for the RN and I don't think they are as bad as made out in the press.

[Jimbuna]

I think we were down to 80/82 in number last year (and that included the small fry)....but I wonder just how many are at sea or in a good state of readiness at any given time :hmm:

[lesrae]

I think Jimbuna's about right, at present I reckon we have a total of 64 warships of MCMV size and above (including those in mothballs but genuinely able to be re-activated):

3 Carriers
8 Type 42 Destroyers
4 Type 22 Frigates
13 Type 23 Frigates
3 Assault Ships
8 Trafalgar SSNs
1 Swiftsure SSNs
4 Vanguard SSBNs
4 River Class Patrol Vessels
8 Hunt MCMVs
8 Sandown MCMVs

There are also the 16 essential RFAs:

4 Bay Class Landing Ships
4 Fort Class Replenishment Ships
2 Wave Class Fast Fleet Tankers
2 Leaf Class Support Tankers
2 Rover Class Small Fleet Tankers
1 Forward Support Ship
1 Aviation Training/Casualty Reception Ship

[XabbaRus]

Still better than other euro navies.

[Jimbuna]

But how many of our European counterparts have the same level of responsibility or committments :hmm:

[AntEater]

This list is rather optimistic:
One Invincible class is always in reserve.
Also, ever since the retirement of the Sea Harrier, I suppose you cannot consider the Invincibles as effective as before.
They're not able to put up a credible air defense.
The single spanish and italian VTOL carriers have Radar equipped AMRAAM capable Harriers, but the british Harriers are limited to visual air to air.
The Type 42 destroyers have basically no AAW capacity left as the Sea Dart missile is on its way out, AFAIK the missiles have reached the end of their shelf lives.
Right now HMS Daring is the only AAW unit of the RN.
The 23s are great ships, though, as are the 22s.
Re the SSNs, HMS Sceptre is not operational and most likely will never be again.
The Trafalgars have had their problems recently, I wonder wether this is due to slackening of standards or simply because the USN keeps a tighter secrecy regarding such "minor" incidents.
All european navies have their problems, so I wouldn't be surprised if the french, italian and spanish navies will start decommissioning ships soon.

[Jimbuna]

Ah well....only one thing for it then